That's my boy.

Isn't it wonderful when you can connect with them in a way that is really meaningful to THEM! I love those moments. It really makes me appreciate what a wonderful, unique, and fascinating person my son is!

it is fiction not satan. i love the harry potter books and movies and watch them all of the time with my children, all of the time. i just started re-reading the book series. i am not a satan worshiper nor do i compare harry potter to satan.
i think it is very bold of you to assume that people are satan worshipers because of a FICTIONAL book series. to assume that Ali is not sincere in dedicating her children to her church? seriously, that is offensive to me and probably many other posters on this blog. you need to butt out of other peoples business. harry potter is not evil, it is entertainment. get a life that does not include fanatacism....
cindy

My 4 kids (now in their 20's) loved the HP books! (3 are girls.) And none of them have practiced witch craft as a result of it. I also love the books and have read them all 3 times over. Rowling is pure imaginative genious! I would love to debate those who think otherwise but don't want to risk another 'Obama incident' where you had to close down the blog. I can only suggest people lighten up and enjoy all life has to offer. I would love to see more photos of Simon playing HP. He is so adorable.

LOVE love love the broomstick. That will make a great page.

That's what makes everyday so wonderful for a child!
I have just started reading the first book to my almost 7 year old son. I love reading to him, its our way of connecting after a long day.

Cindy, I am not fanatic, but Harry Potter is not just entertainment.
Harry Potter is offensive to me. I do have a life, which includes caring for my 4-month old granddaughter, my 11-year old granddaughter, and 12-year old grandson. I am a born-again Christian and I can assure you that any church I attend would not condone Harry Potter. If you want to consider that fanatic, that's OK with me. If children are being encouraged to ride a broom, cast spells by using wands, etc. this is not just imaginary. Witches and warlocks are real in this world. Do some research. Talk with your pastor. Be aware. This is not just a game. Go to a Christian bookstore (not Barnes and Noble) and find some reading material. When a person is concerned about another, it is necessary to "butt in". We all have sharp knives in our kitchen. Do we allow our children to play with something dangerous and get hurt, or do we teach them that it is not appropriate? This is not just fiction; it is real.

Simon rocks! I dressed my son up as Harry for Halloween when he was just 2 and a half so I could make cool scrapbook pages. TRUTH! He just turned 8 and is still really into Harry; we went to Build A Bear last week for a birthday treat, and he got their new snowy owl and a pair of round glasses, and named his owl... Hedwig.

Thanks Pam, Helen, and Cindy for your comments. As usual I am happy to have people post differing opinions and responses but I do not want to have an open discussion on this topic here.
You can tell from my post that I do not believe these books/movies to be evil/satanic/etc - hopefully we can respectfully agree to disagree.

I *heart* Harry Potter, too! Go Simon!

Simon definitely has the Harry Potter look down pat.
I'm surprised that the Harry Potter LEGO hasn't come out in your household yet! My nieces and nephew have a few sets - the Hogwart's Express being a favorite.
http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4708

I have been enjoying the soundtracks of movie #3 and #6 lately … maybe Simon would, too? I could imagine them being an awesome "backdrop" to playing and catching the snitch, as they conjure up a very distinct atmosphere (and the music is brilliant).

Awesome pictures, Ali! You are so brave for sharing your life with all of us. I gain so much from your posts, both about scrapbooking and about being present and aware and enjoying my life in a family. Thank you so much!

I love sharing HP with my child too! My daughter started reading the books this summer and it has been wonderful to hear her read them out loud to me. Parenting is just a little easier when you can share a passion together.

There's a lot of "expecto patronum" shouting and wand-waving in our house as well :-D But we tend to dress up as Fawke's the Phoenix or the Hippogriff, rather than any people characters. Go figure :-D My son is 7 also and has only read up to and seen the movies up to Book #4. Thanks to the genius of bonus features on the DVDs he can see how all the special effects were created and wasn't scared of some of the creatures and such. My rule is that you can't see the movie until you've read the book so right now there is intense lobbying to start Book #5. XX's

Such a great imagination you're nourishing! Love how kids think! Love Harry Potter too---very creative & imaginative also.

Ali,
I am finishing up coursework for a master's in gifted education. My current class deals with "twice-exceptional" children (those who are identified gifted and autistic) and it has been fascinating for me to research this world. As I looked upon the photos and captions of Simon, I think he's definitely "twice-exceptional"...his dealings with fictional concepts, with Anna, with his schoolwork, with his Legos all point toward giftedness in thinking (high IQ and brain processes). I hope his school allows for his brilliant mind as well as his autistic tendencies...as he is destined for great things. Thanks for sharing your world with us!

Hi Ali, Such beautiful photos. He is a very handsome boy and will break hearts, I am sure! My daughter is a few months older than Simon and so far I have resisted Harry Potter with her. Luckily she has not shown much interest either, but that's neither here nor there... I was just wondering how Simon copes with the "darkness" of the storylines? I have read all the books, enjoyed them immensely, but am a little concerned that to truly understand and not be afraid, the child needs to be older. But so many people I know have children aged 7 who love Harry, so I am wondering if I am being too cautious? I would love to hear your thoughts (and other readers' comments). I guess at age 7 a certain amount of the story would go over their heads. Maybe. Thanks Ali in NZ

Hi Ali, My younger son Sam and I often look at your blog together and read Simon's adventures. Sam wanted to let Simon know that he has a Quidditch team mate over here in Australia just dying to help him catch that snitch.

My boyfriend is 27 and dressed up as Harry Potter for Halloween last year, although he doesn't really care too much for him. A few days after the latest movie came out a few friends of ours asked us to go and one of them offered to buy our tickets if my boyfriend wore his costume (I wouldn't let him throw it away as I made it). We've been trying to save money lately, so he agreed. He got lots of laughs from us, but the movie theater attendant wasn't too impressed because it was only opening night that people were dressed up.

LONG LIVE HP lol. Love it- way to be graceful Ali. btw, a hippo is not the worst patronus. Just remember- they are fiercesome killers in the wild, and have really great mother daughter bonding. They run super fast and can communicate in water and air at the same time. How cool is that? Dude, I want to be a hippo lol

Love the patronus comment - reminds me of when my son was asked about which cartoon character reminds him of his mom and he said Gloria from Madagascar (she was a hippo too) :)

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